R.O.O.T.S.

I'm talking 'bout roots

I can't hate where I'm from

'Cause where I'm from made me

I came from the bottom of the slums

But now I got me, me

That's because of my roots (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)

I'm talking 'bout roots (yeah, yeah, yeah)

I'm talking 'bout roots

Hey, I can't be mad at what got me ahead

I don't regret my ghetto struggle due to my success

It ain't that beautiful to write on overcoming stress

Top Ramen noodle soup, thank pappy for the fact I was fed

Look at me now but all before: Hey, Mr. Skid Row

The dirty south ain’t just a name the way I've been poor

The projects brown and white, I call it Gizmo

Went from a Gremlin' to them cars in Jigga's video

Can't find a meal to a mil, only God know it

No record deal to a deal, I work hard for it

Can I live too? I'm living like my momma told it

Before you reap it, gotta sew it

I'm talking 'bout roots

I can't hate where I'm from

'Cause where I'm from made me

I came from the bottom of the slums

But now I got me, me

That's because of my roots (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)

I'm talking 'bout roots (yeah, yeah, yeah)

I'm talking 'bout roots

Hey, still on my Kunta Kinte

Somebody had to bleed just for me to get away

My sister had to leave, I respect her staying safe

Oh, yeah, I had to grieve, but I'm stronger to this day

Pain, I can't ignore it, you might say I'm ignorant

I'm mistaking for courage, victory so gorgeous

Make it through two Bush, I can make it through any forest

Hunger gave me the wish, but the bottom is so important

37 ave and 187 street

Miami, Carol City, now I'm part of a legacy

I'm thankful for the hood, what is love without jealousy

There’s only five letters really help me

I'm talking 'bout roots

I can't hate where I'm from

'Cause where I'm from made me

I came from the bottom of the slums

But now I got me, me

That's because of my roots (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)

I'm talking 'bout roots (yeah, yeah, yeah)

I'm talking 'bout roots

Hey, I know the seeds been planted

It's damaging my soul, but my dreams been granted

That triple life towards, much deeper than Earth's planet

What could I want more than redoing? I never panic

Gets no lower than the ground beneath your feet

A man will stand for nothing if he falls for defeat

A boulder in the hand better than all in the street

If you look beneath the sand, then we all need a crease

Roots before the branches, roots before the mansions

Roots before your paper crazier than Marilyn Manson

Roots with your grandparents, roots under your canvas

Roots whether you black, white, or Spanish

I'm talking 'bout roots

I can't hate where I'm from

'Cause where I'm from made me

I came from the bottom of the slums

But now I got me, me

That's because of my roots (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)

I'm talking 'bout roots (yeah, yeah, yeah)

I'm talking 'bout roots